SOC 47-2082 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Tapers — West Virginia
West Virginia
Median pay in West Virginia is $41,600 a year, 39.1% under the national median of $68,270 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in West Virginia is $41,600 a year, 39.1% under the national median of $68,270 for this occupation. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $31,570 and $60,800. The lowest tenth earn under $31,200, while the highest tenth earn more than $61,520.
The area has 30 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.52 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. West Virginia ranks number 27th out of 27 states by median pay for this occupation. Of the 618 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 433rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,200 | −54.3% |
| 25th | $31,570 | −53.8% |
| Median (50th) | $41,600 | −39.1% |
| 75th | $60,800 | −10.9% |
| 90th | $61,520 | −9.9% |
| Mean | $42,730 | −37.4% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in West Virginia run 10.5% below the national average, so the median of $41,600 goes as far as $46,480 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 31.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$41,600as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.5US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$46,480US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $41,600 a year, 39.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,200 to $61,520 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 30 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 27th of 27 states for this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Tapers in West Virginia?
The median annual wage is $41,600, or $20.00 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $68,270, so pay in West Virginia is 39.1% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in West Virginia earns more than $61,520 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,200 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 30 jobs in this occupation in West Virginia. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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